80s Memories

Random Interview #1 – Laura D

First up in the “Random Questions About Your 80s” interviews is Laura D McBryde. I originally got the idea of random-question interviewing from her, and so as a thanks it seemed fitting that she was the first person to be featured.

Blackpool, by far! And I say this as a person that’s been to Spain. Spain has nothing on the excitement of Blackpool! I wonder if that crazed clown who laughs maniacally is still there…or the hippo bin that doesn’t want you to litter “Don’t throw that on the floor, give it to meee. I’m soooo hungry.”

If you were to find a copy of your first video tape, what would be on it?

I believe it was Lady and the Tramp. …if not, then it was probably My Little Pony. The original, not the My Little Ponies from nowadays…with their crazy eyes and non-80s attitudes!

How did the 80s affect you as a person?

I was born in 1987, so I missed out on a lot of 80s awesomeness. But even in the 90s we’d buy toys from charity shops so I was able to experience stuff from before I was born. It was like time travel but with Care Bears! Although now I make comedy videos on YouTube, so I’d say the comedies of the 80s affected me most. Blackadder, Only Fools and Horses, Red Dwarf, great stuff!

Describe a typical Christmas from your childhood.

INABILITY TO SLEEP. Followed by somehow waking from sleep. (How did that happen?!) Then rushing downstairs and tearing into a mountain of presents piled proudly on the couch. Full speed! Only turning occasionally to glance at what my brother has gotten.

If you recall the titles of Rab C Nesbitt, where his feet are dancing side to side to the theme song. Yeah, that. Does that count??

Did you make anything at school to take home and show your parents?

I recall the teacher getting some French person in for the afternoon, she made us draw Christmas cards with Joyeux Noel written on. I took that home for my mum and dad. And purposefully pronounced the x in Joyeux. Cause I’m Scottish!!

Did you have any pets?

When I was 2 years old I had a hamster called Nippy, she used to nip at my fingers with her teeth. How time moves on, 24 years later I have a hamster called Chino who wants to be President of the United States.

What was your favourite lesson at school?

Heads Down, Thumbs Up! Wait that wasn’t a lesson. That’s what the teachers made us play when it was too rainy to go outside at playtime. But yes. Heads Down, Thumbs Up.

Did you have any strange habits when you were young?

I consulted with my brother on this. I used to pretend to be “The Tea Lady” and I’d go around asking everyone in the room if they wanted tea. I’d make sure I knew how many sugars and how much milk from everyone. Then mix up the tea. And when no one wanted tea, I’d walk around like a deranged homeless person just repeating the words “TEA LADY, TEA LADY”. I’d say that’s pretty strange.